Christmas Concerts

Latham's preschool wrapped up the month with a Christmas program last Friday, and Ronan's school concert was today.  In his program, Latham played the part of the 1st Wiseman in a re-telling of the Christmas story.

 I went "backstage" before the program started to get him ready.  He was really excited and proud of his role.

 He wanted a picture with his best friend.

 Ronan chatted up a girl before the show started.  I figured this was a preview of what's to come when he's a teenager.

 Cutest Wiseman ever!

 A shout-out to all the Daddies and Mommies!

 Handsome mini-man #1

As mentioned above, Ronan's concert was this morning, and we got there bright and early for the 10am start.  Due to the hectic morning, Vaughn didn't quite make it out of his PJs today!

 Vaughn waiting for the concert to start.

 Ronan

 The second graders sang three songs.  Ronan is right above the music teacher's head.

His favorite song is the "Twelve Days of Christmas" that they performed today.  Tomorrow is his last day of school, and then he's out till the 6th of January.  When school resumes, the students and staff will be in their new school building!

Firehall Pancake Breakfast 2013

As I was driving by the Fire Hall on Northwest Avenue one day, I noticed an advertisement for their fund-raising Fire Hall Breakfast the following Saturday.  I am a sucker for going out for breakfast, so this was high on my list of priorities for the day!

 The firefighters served the breakfast themselves, which took place in the main part of the station were the trucks are usually parked.

 Baby Vaughn

 Three well-fed little boys with their "Junior Firefighter" helmets on.

 After eating we checked out the fire trucks outside.

The boys also liked the ambulances.

I can't wait to go again next year!

Oh, I wish I were an...

...Oscar Mayer Wiener!

Last month the boys and I stopped by Safeway in Lynden to pick up a few groceries, and we saw this bad boy in the parking lot!  Man, were we excited!

Photo op!

Halloween 2013

This year for Halloween, Auntie Delta, the boys and I attended the Harvest Party put on by our church, North County Christ the King.  We all had a great time, and it was nice to be indoors in a nice, warm building.  Collin had left earlier that day for two weeks in Japan, so Auntie Delta's help was greatly appreciated.

Finnian sharing his cotton candy with Auntie Delta.

All four boys lined up in a row, content with their sweet treats.

Latham

Ronan - aka Optimus Prime

For his first Halloween Vaughn was a pumpkin.

There were games for the children to play; here Finnian is bowling.  Every attempt earned the child a prize, which was a piece of candy.

Ronan shooting a hanging target with a nerf gun.

"Cheese!"

There was a cookie decorating station...

...and these awesome giant inflatable rings to bounce off of one another.

Ronan and Latham especially liked these.  Finnian was still a bit too young to participate in this activity.

There was also a version of the good-ol' favorite, Cake Walk.  Every child walked away with a cupcake.

The best part about the Harvest Festival was that the boys had so many games and activities to participate in versus standard trick-or-treating.  And they got some candy, but not the obscene amounts that can be collected going door-to-door.

We hope you had a Happy Halloween!

Stoney Ridge 2013

Every year in October we take a trip to Stoney Ridge Farm in nearby Everson, WA.  Stoney Ridge has a great pumpkin patch, farm animals, hay rides, corn maze, and - most importantly - fantastic mini pumpkin donuts!  The activities create a lot of photo opportunities, and here are some pictures from our recent trip this past October.

The size of our family has officially outgrown this favorite cut-out photo op.

Every year I make sure to get a photo of the boys on the saddle next to the Stoney Ridge sign.  I'm not happy that this was the best shot, but anyone with kids know, you take a million snaps, and you're still not guaranteed a good one! 

The barrel-car train is the funnest!

Daddy and Baby Boy #4

It's so tough to be a baby!

A tractor-pulled hay ride took us out to the pumpkin patch.

Finnian

Vaughn

Daddy and the older boys

Cool dude Latham

Same as every other year, they could pick out

 any pumpkin they wanted...as long as they could carry it themselves!

Random-ness with Latham & Finnian

With Ronan in school full-time and Vaughn still sleeping much of the time, my days are largely spent with only Finnian and Latham.  They keep life interesting, to say the least.

When I look at this picture, I wonder what in the world possessed him to do this to his pjs.  Seriously buddy, why did you decide to hike up your pants and stick your arms down through them?!?  Love the pose though.

With a household of six people, laundry is a chore that never ends.  I remember living in Saskatoon by myself when I was a student at U of S, and I did laundry once a week, 2-3 loads total.  Now I average two loads a day to stay current.  Anyway, due to my constant laundering, there is always a laundry hamper or two around for the brothers to play in.

Bellis Fair Mall after a doctor appointment, one of a million lately for Finnian - he has had the most random things happening to him lately - having lunch with my two little batmen.

Vaughn - 3 Months Old

Vaughn is now three months old!  He is getting so big!  I've already had to pack away the 0-3 month clothing - he never did fit "newborn" size - and I'm in the middle of a large project.  Not only am I putting away all the summer clothes, I'm going through the large closet upstairs where I put all the outgrown clothing until the next in line is big enough for it, and figuring out who fits what now.  I've pulled out some 6 month outfits that Ronan used to wear, and it's so weird seeing them again on this little guy.

This cute outfit is one that I bought Finnian when he was tiny.  Judging by Vaughn's smile, I think he likes it.

Laughing

So adorable, if I do say so myself; Collin & I agree that we make pretty cute children!

Yesterday evening I found Finnian "reading" his Elmo book to Vaughn.

Hanging out with Daddy and his brothers, getting in some tummy time.

Vaughn has found his fingers recently, and they are in his mouth almost constantly.  Sometimes there's even an internal struggle - he can't decide if he wants his fingers or his source of milk!

So far the eyes are blue, but Ronan and I are hoping that they turn green!  Go Team Green Eyes!